Resurrection Sunday in Bangladesh

A Full Church

It is Resurrection Sunday here in Bangladesh.  Notice, I said “Resurrection” and not “Easter.”  The former term brings thoughts of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection while the latter brings to mind fuzzy bunnies, colored eggs and new clothes.  In a pre-dominantly Muslim country, we try to keep the Christian holidays as Biblical as possible.  It was very refreshing to me to celebrate Resurrection Sunday without all the American hype of holiday commercialism.  I went to church and actually remembered the message that was preached.  (Sis.Cylinda Nickel preached a message entitled, “When Empty is Full.”  Jesus emptied the tomb so that we could be filled with His Spirit.  When we empty ourselves, He fills us with Himself.)  I was not distracted by the fashion show of new clothes.  In fact, I don’t think there was one stitch of new clothing in the poor church building this morning.  It would have been useless since there were about 80 people packed into a tiny building that only holds 30 people in 100+ degree Fahrenheit weather with no air conditioning.  We were all drenched with sweat by the time it was over.

Afterwards, the ministry team had a nice time of fellowship at a restaurant (surprisingly, Dhaka has some good international restaurants).  Then, some of us went shopping while others went home to pack for their trip to Thailand.  I learned how to ride the bus during the shopping trip!   Whoo Hoo!  A few weeks back, Sis. Miller tried to teach me to ride the bus.  She told me, “Just look for the blue and white bus.”  When I spotted a blue and white bus, she told me, “No, not THAT blue and white bus.”  A few minutes later, I spotted another one and I got the same response.  So, needless to say, I did not learn to ride the bus that day with Sis. Miller.  Today, her daughter Katie taught me how to read the Bangla script on the front of the

Beautiful Liza riding the bus

bus.  I still don’t know what the script says, but I can now spot it on the correct blue and white bus.  Next, I need to learn the bus stops.  (Well, I don’t HAVE to learn the bus stops since people jump on and off moving buses all the time, but I am NOT that brave and fit.)  So far, I’ve been hopping on and off the bus whenever the leader of the pack says, “Let’s  Go!”  I definitely need to learn the bus stops.

The bus trip was apparently a God-arranged event.  On our way home, Fran and I ended up sitting together with a lady from Mirpur, the area where we live.  She was very interested in us and tried to communicate with us.  She knew Bangla and Hindi but very little English.  I tried to communicate with her in the little Hindi I had learned, but the only words that would come out of my mouth was Bangla.  I don’t know if this is a good sign or a bad one!

One thing was certain; God was drawing this lady to us and vice versa.  At one point, I felt to pray with her, but didn't know how she would receive it being a Hindu.  About that time the bus jostled and the two of us grabbed each other to keep from falling into the aisle.  We sat there for a few minutes with our arms around each other, enjoying the closeness.  I prayed for her under my breath asking God to bless her and order her steps.  We exchanged phone numbers.  She called us later in the day and made arrangements to visit us on Monday.  It will be good to see her again!

All in all, I say it has been a good Resurrection Sunday in Bangladesh!

Dealing with Scum

“When you go to the mission field, the first thing you will have to face is all the personal scum that will rise to the surface.”  I had heard this same advice from many missionaries prior to my coming to Bangladesh.  Sadly, it is true.  Since my arrival in Bangladesh, I’ve had to deal with some scum and it’s not been a pretty sight.

I stated from the beginning of this blog that it would be a transparent one.  There is no sense in misleading others into thinking the mission field is for super spiritual people.  It is not.  However, it is a place for people who are honest and transparent with God because that is what it will require to overcome the scum and move into the next spiritual dimension.  If a person does not have an honest relationship with God or a strong prayer life prior to the mission field, upon arrival, they will either develop one very quickly or die a sudden spiritual death.

“Before you can accomplish any great endeavor for God, you must first of all face and conquer fear.”  This great advice was given to me by Sis. Vani Marshall, a former missionary.  Fear is the enemy’s most-used tactic and it has been the primary scum I’ve had to deal with in Bangladesh.  I’ve discovered that fear wears many masks: failure, abandonment, lack of trust, self-pity, loneliness, just to name a few.  No matter which mask fear wears, its underlying motive is to distract the person from the purpose and destiny of God.  A person who is not transparent may try to ignore fear, hoping it will go away as they busy themselves in the work of God.  An honest person will acknowledge the fear to God and then lean heavily upon Him and His Word for the solution. 

I am thankful for honest, transparent leadership in Bangladesh that recognizes the scum process and advised me, “Every missionary will experience this when they first arrive.  Don’t skip the process, but allow God to purify you and cleanse you.  If you ignore it, it will eventually rear its ugly head again.  It's better to go through the process in the beginning before you get involved in the work of God.”  They were not afraid to confront the spirit of fear that was attempting to overtake me.  They spoke vision and authority into my life.  Even though the scum has not been pretty, I am thankful for the purification process.  It is necessary for us to empty ourselves before God can truly fill us with Himself.  The world needs to see Jesus, not the scum.

Missionaries: Idols or Heroes?

“Prior to arriving in Bangladesh, what were your expectations of missionaries and the mission field? How did it meet your expectations after your arrival?” Someone recently asked me this. It was an honest question that required an honest answer.

My expectations of missionaries were the same as the majority of people: I idolized them. I thought they were super spiritual people who eagerly followed the call of God to live in a foreign country. We erroneously believe because many souls are baptized in Jesus’ Name and filled with the Holy Ghost on the mission field that a missionary is living a super spiritual life. In reality, they are not super spiritual. They are actually living a normal Christian life, the one Jesus expects all of us to live. Baptizing people in Jesus’ Name and seeing them filled with the Holy Ghost is the norm, not the exception. Seeing the sick healed, the dead raised, the demonic delivered is the norm, not the exception.

Another erroneously belief about missionaries is their day-to-day life. Although it was not my belief, some people imagine that missionaries live in a mud hut in the wild jungles with no electricity or running water. There are a select few who live in these conditions, but the majority of the missionaries live in regular homes and/or apartments with electricity and running water. You would be surprised how much their lives are like the American lifestyle, yet different in so many ways. They may have a washing machine, but no dryer. They may have a stove, but no oven. Their bed may have a mosquito net over it.

When I visited the mission field of India for the first time two years ago, my expectations were dashed. In fact, I was almost disillusioned. One visit to the mission field and you will quickly discover that things are done differently in the foreign church than in America. Not everything we do as Christians is Biblically based; much of our administration is culturally based. (Please understand, I am NOT referring to doctrine, which is Biblically based, but to the day-to-day life of living for God). It took a while for me to sort out the differences.

However, I saw one thing on the mission field that stuck with me: the vast need for laborers. I also saw myself fulfilling that need. I could see myself being a Sunday School teacher, teaching Bible studies, mentoring young women, teaching in the Bible School, working in the office, raising funds, etc. You know there is a call of God upon your life when you not only see the need, but see yourself fulfilling that need.

Upon my arrival to Bangladesh, my expectations of missionaries and the mission field were much more realistic. I no longer idolized missionaries. I had a better understanding of their day-to-day life. As I listen to various stories, I realize the great sacrificial price that missionaries pay to fulfill the call of God to live in another country. I also hear the joy and gladness in fulfilling that calling. I love, respect and admire missionaries. They are no longer my idols, but they will always be my heroes of faith!

I'm an Overcomer

“I’m an overcomer, overcomer, overcomer.  I’m an overcomer in Bangladesh...”  I’ve been singing this Sunday School action song lately, with a few changed words, every time I overcome another hurdle of living life in Bangladesh.

 

First, there was the Asian toilet.  It was bound to happen sooner or later.  I managed to avoid the “squat” toilet the entire three weeks of my visit to India.  Two days after my arrival in Bangladesh, the dreaded moment had come.  Someone put it into perspective by saying, “It’s just like camping, Sis.”  With thoughts of camping, I did it!

The next hurdle was the cold shower.  This was the one thing I said I would never be able to do on the mission field.  I loved my luxurious hot showers back home in America.  But, I had to quickly adjust to the cold showers or remain dirty.  The trick is to take the shower in mid-afternoon when the water is the warmest and you are the hottest from the outside heat (it is 97 degrees these days).  I’m an overcomer!

I needed to purchase internet for my new apartment and no one was available to take me, so I decided it was time to attempt this on my own.  Sabrina and Jessica rode along with me on the rickshaw.  Prior to this, I was accustomed to someone else doing the haggling, giving directions, etc.  Sabrina does not haggle prices and Jessica had arrived in Bangladesh a few hours earlier, so she was clueless.  I meekly agreed to the rickshaw driver’s price of 100 Taka.  After we had ridden a few minutes, it dawned on me, “It costs 150 Taka to take a baby taxi to Mirpur all the way across the city and this rickshaw driver charged me 100 Taka to take me to Gulshan, which is close by?  Hey!  I got ripped off!”

After a beautiful scenic ride on the rickshaw, we arrived at the phone/internet store.  After an hour wait, I approached the customer service desk.  Thankfully, the clerk spoke English since I did not know Bangla.  I handed over my passport and the clerk in turn gave me a form to fill out.  Then, it hit me!  I don’t know my address or phone number!  At that moment, I felt like a lost five year old trying to explain to a policeman my information.  Luckily, I had my phone with me and a church card.  So, I wrote down the church address on the form and then handed the clerk my phone so she could retrieve the number from it.  Afterwards, I was so proud of myself!  I had just taken a rickshaw to another area of the city, purchased internet, and made it back to the guest house in time for church.  (By the way, I paid the correct rickshaw fare on the return trip!)

I was feeling independent and so happy.  The next day I moved to Mirpur and everything changed.  Let me explain.  Banani and Gulshan are the more affluent areas of the city with many international people living there.  Most of the signs are in English as well as Bangla.  It was simply easier to get around alone in these two areas.  Mirpur was almost like moving to a village yet still in the big city of Dhaka.  The streets were narrower and almost everything was in Bangla.  It was noisier and more crowded.  I could no longer walk to the Millers house down the street or ride Matthew’s motorbike to the Corbins house 5 minutes away.  Now, the Millers and the Corbins were an hour away by baby taxi….and I couldn’t speak Bangla to flag down a baby taxi, haggle the price or give directions to anyone’s house.  (Note: you can’t give taxi drivers an address and they take you there.  You must tell them the area of town, then give them step by step directions to the house.)

I was totally dependent upon others for my meals, water, shopping, transportation, EVERYTHING!  I hated it!  I had a near meltdown over this.  Sis. Corbin has a beautiful way of putting things into perspective.  She said, “Just think of it this way.  Your dependency upon others bonded you to them and vice versa.  You formed relationships with people that would have never been possible had you been independent.”  So true!  Now, I am truly thankful for those relationships and special bonds that were indeed formed from my need and their willingness to serve me.

Last week, I started taking Bangla lessons.  I bought a map and studied it.  Today, the Corbins invited me to their house for lunch.  Afterwards, they flagged down a baby taxi for me and I rode it home ALONE!  I had learned enough Bangla to be able to give the driver directions to my house.  Slowly, but surely, I’m an overcomer in Bangladesh!

The Weekend

It's been a busy weekend.  Thursday night Sis. Corbin and I started a Women's Bible study, "More to Life" in my apartment.  Mary, one of the ladies we met the first day of cleaning, attended.  It was a relaxed study filled with "firsts."  It was Sis. Corbin's first time to teach this particular study.  Partway into the lesson, she decided I should co-teach with her, which was a first for me.  Surprisingly, it flowed naturally between us.  Also, Sis. Corbin taught part of the lesson in Bangla, another first, since Mary knows very little English. Mary read scriptures from the Bangla Bible.  The Presence of God was so sweet in the study as we prayed for Mary and her family.  I cannot wait until we meet again next week!

We had a baptism service Friday morning in which five people from the Nuton Bajar church were baptized.  Sorry, there are no pictures.  I tried, but Bro. Peter baptized those people so FAST, all I could snap was the  back of heads.

Youth gathering

Friday at noon, several people came to my apartment for a youth gathering.  It was specifically geared to reach the university guys living next door, which six of them attended.  I believe there are plans to start an English as  a Second Language (ESL) class at the church/school to help these guys learn English.  It's these kinds of opportunities that opens doors for salvation in the future.

There are approximately 150 churches and/or preaching points in Bangladesh, with three churches in Dhaka: Nuton Bajar, Impact, and Mirpur.  On Friday nights, the church in Nuton Bajar (New Market) meet.  It is conducted in the Bangla language.  This is a poor church whose people are mostly slum dwellers.  Bro. Abraham Gain is the pastor.  He began reaching out to the Muslim children in the area.  The children began attending the church services faithfully, and later, the adults began to attend.

On Saturday nights, there is church at Impact Worship Center.  This is an English-speaking, international church which meet in the Corbins' home.  Currently, there are people from South Africa, South Korea, Uganda, Kenya, Sierra Lione, America and Bangladesh.  Bro. Corbin pastors this growing work that has the potential to impact other parts of the world for the Kingdom of God.

Matthew preaching, Bro. Corbin translating

On Sunday nights, there is church in Mirpur, pastored by Bro. Peter Biswas.  This service is conducted in the Bangla language.  It is interesting to me to sing familiar songs from home in a different language.  (It also helping me learn Bangla since I started classes last week.)  This is the church I will be primarily working with since it is located near my apartment.

"You Are Good All the Time" in Bangla

All of these churches have dynamic worship services and great preaching.  God's Spirit is moving, people are being baptized in Jesus Name, and people are being filled with the Holy Ghost.  It reminds me of home.  Wait! I AM home!

A Genuine Foot-Washing

The area of Mirpur where I live has a village/city feel to it.  It transports me back in time, almost all the way to the Bible days.  Walking the dusty roads between my apartment and the Bible school, I often think, “This is what it must have been like in Jesus’ day.”  So many of the eastern customs here are similar to the ones found in the Bible.  For example, the Bangladeshi people shed their shoes at the front door before entering each home.  I can easily imagine a foot-washing pot near the front door and how refreshing it must have been to have your feet washed upon entering the home after walking through the hot, dusty roads. 

Last night, I walked outside to go to Bro. Peter’s house (located inside the school) and it was raining.  I have to admit, I only thought it rained during monsoon season, not any other time, so I was totally unprepared for the downpour.  I walked anyway, knowing I would eventually have to do it.  When I arrived at their house, Bro. Peter and his wife Sis. Tuney immediately went to work drying me off with towels.  They sat me down in a chair and Sis. Tuney began washing my feet.  This was a genuine foot-washing, not the kind performed at church once a year where everyone becomes uncomfortable with the unfamiliarity of it.  I simply sat there, so deeply touched by her demonstration of love towards me as she washed and dried my feet, and then ended the act by kissing my feet.

The entire scenario reminded me of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet as recorded in John 13:4-9.  The disciples were not unfamiliar with the foot-washing process; it was Jesus’ servant role they were unfamiliar with.  More than likely, they were still envisioning Jesus as establishing His Kingdom on earth in the near future.  Acting as a servant was out of character for a soon-to-be King.  When Jesus came to Simon Peter to wash his feet, Peter adamantly refused.  Jesus answered him, “If I wash thee not, thou has no part with me.”  The thought of being separated from His Lord struck to the heart of Peter and he quickly responded, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.”

I remember about a year ago, I thought God was calling me to a remote area of Northeast India.  I had already applied for the Associate in Missions program and was scheduled to go to New Delhi, a large metropolitan area of India.  I absolutely refused to go to the remote area!  I balked.  He left.  I spent a few weeks in misery without His Presence until one day I read the above mentioned story of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet.  He gently spoke to me, “If I lead you not, you have no part with Me.”  The thought of being separated from My Lord struck to the heart of me and I quickly repented.  “Yes, Lord, lead me not only to the remote area of India, but wherever You desire.  Just don’t let me be separated from Your Presence.  Not now.  Not ever.”

No, God did not send me to the remote area of Northeast India and neither did I go to the city of New Delhi.  Instead, I ended up in-between the two places in a country called Bangladesh.  So, as I sat there having my feet washed by a precious sister in this God-chosen place called Bangladesh, I recalled the lesson learned from the Biblical foot-washing scene between Jesus and Peter: Always say YES to Him, no matter what, no matter where.  Let Him lead you and He will wash your feet, your hands and your head with His Presence.

My First Night in the Apartment

Last night was my first night staying at the apartment.  I had very good company as Liza and Margaret, two young ladies from the church, stayed the night with me.  I was so glad they were there because I was feeling kind of frustrated with all the various adjustments of living life in another country.  Having lived in Bangladesh all their lives, they take for granted the things I'm trying to figure out.

Home office

For instance, I had gone alone the day before to purchase internet for my laptop.  It was my first business transaction without someone else translating for me into Bangla.  I was so proud of myself!  That is, until I tried to use the internet in my new apartment.  I was frustrated because the internet was soooo slow, IF it worked at all!  I was mentally berating myself because I had gone alone and I probably had not purchased the right internet speed, etc.  Liza and Margaret said, "Let's go outside on the balcony and see if it works."  Lo and behold, it worked!!  Now, I have an outside office with a great (or maybe not) view.

View from the balcony

We purchased my bed and mattress a week ago.  However, when it was delivered, the mattress did not fit the bed.  The company was going to deliver a new one, but I would have to pay for delivery.  I had already paid delivery twice to these guys in the past, once for the bed, second for the mattress.  Now, they wanted to charge yet another delivery fee for something that they messed up?!  The whole system agitated me.  The missionaries told me, "That's just the way business is done here.  It's not right, it's not fair, you have to adjust to it."

The Mirpur area (where I am living now) of Dhaka is very different from the Banani area (where I had been living).  I had to make a lot of adjustments today.  Even simple things like learning my address and phone number felt overwhelming and I wanted to cry.  For a few minutes there, I doubted my ability to live alone and be independent in this different country.

Sis. Corbin has been very helpful to me with the adjustments.  As she shared her first experience of living in Bangladesh 20 years ago, I felt like a wimp.  I have it so easy compared to her experience, which was living in a village area with no internet, no telephone, no air conditioner, and no hot water.  All of these things are available to me if I want them.  When she arrived, no one spoke English, only Bangla.  Now, about 50% of the people in Dhaka area speak English in addition to Bangla.

As I said earlier, I felt overwhelmed by the adjustments and ashamed of complaining about life on the mission field.  Would I trade it all for the comforts of home?  NEVER!  My heart has been captured by these beautiful people and in the words of Sis. Corbin, "If I was given the choice to do my life over, I would do it all again."

Nuton Bazar (New Market)

Last  night we went to a church located in Nuton Bazar (New Market) area of Dhaka.  This is a poor church whose people are mostly slum dwellers.  Bro. Abraham Gain is the pastor.  He began reaching out to the Muslim children in the area.  The children began attending the church services faithfully, and later, the adults began to attend.  I don't have a lot to say about this church, so I will let the pictures speak for me.  (Please note: The Bangladeshi people are very friendly.   Lack of smiles has nothing to do with unfriendliness but rather related to the belief that a serious face demonstrates maturity.)

First Visit to Mirpur

Sis Corbin bargaining for my dining table

We traveled to the Mirpur area of Dhaka today where the Bible school and my apartment are located.  While Bro. Corbin taught classes, Sis. Corbin, Matthew and I went shopping for furniture.  Shopping takes extra time as we must bargain for the final prices of the items.  It was fun watching Matthew and Sis. Corbin bargain with the store owners in Bangla.  I think shopping in a foreign country such as Bangladesh provides a more personal and relational way of doing business.  In America, you hand your money to the cashier, take your item and walk away.  Most likely, there was no personal interaction between the two parties while conducting business.  Here, the shopping experience is more intimate.  I definitely enjoy shopping in Bangladesh.

Before I left the states, one friend gave me some strong advice, "Do what the missionary says!  If he or she tells you to stand by the banana tree, then stand by the banana tree."  I sure came close to following some similar advice today from Sis. Corbin.  She and I were riding in a rickshaw, Matthew was in a separate rickshaw in front of us. We turned onto a different street and accidentally came in contact with some protesters. Sis. Corbin grabbed my arm, stood up and said, "Let's go!"  She's yelling at the driver to stop.  Matthew is standing up in his moving rickshaw yelling back at us, "IT'S OK!  IT'S OK!"  Turns out, the marchers were just peaceful-minded people protesting the protest.  As humorous as it is now, it could have been a more serious situation and my obedience to the missionary's directive would have been crucial.

Matthew mopping my apt floor

After shopping, Sis. Corbin, Matthew and I walked to my apartment.  It was my first time to see it.  It's going to be a cute place once the dirt is gone and the furniture arrives.  While we were cleaning the place, a 12 year old girl walks in the open door and says to me, "Hello. Are you going to live here?"  I was rather surprised that she was so friendly and spoke such good English.  I liked her instantly.  We also learned there were 12 males living in the apartments down the hall.  At first, we weren't sure what to think of this situation.  It could either be a very bad arrangement or a very good one.  We found out they were all engineering students at a local university.  After some of the students came over and talked with us, we determined it was going to be a very good situation.

While we were talking to the students in the hallway, the next door neighbor came home and we talked to him a few minutes.  His wife works for Bangladesh Sesame Street.  He, too, was friendly.  Next, a lady from the 6th floor stopped by to say hello.  When I took her hand to greet her, she did not let go of my hand.   Oh my, I could feel the love of God flowing between us and I didn't even know her!  She took me upstairs to meet her husband and 7 year old daughter.  Her husband told me if I had any problems to come to them, they would be there for me.  I appreciated their kindness and offer of protection.

When I returned to my apartment, the next door neighbor whose wife works for Sesame Street, came over carrying his 3 year old daughter.  He told us she was hard-of-hearing and expressed his concern for her future.  He had seen my hearing aids and knew I could identify with his child.  My heart was instantly connected with this man's concerns.  I plan to spend more time with this family once I get settled in.

After he left, I went back to cleaning the bathroom and cried.  There were so many open doors of evangelism in this one building!  God moved me across the world to reach them with the gospel of Jesus Christ.  The responsibility is a great one, but so is the joy.  I have fallen in love with the Bangladeshi people!

First Sunday in Bangladesh

I overslept today and didn't get up until nearly noon.  This is so unlike me! Thankfully, the first thing on today's agenda didn't begin until 5:30 PM.  Upon waking up, Sabrina had Chinese breakfast ready for me, complete with chopsticks.  And yes, I managed to eat my entire bowl of noodle soup using the chopsticks.

Sabrina and I had a wonderful conversation at breakfast.  We have become good friends.  She told me how it warmed her heart for me to call her my "first friend in Bangladesh."  She said she has had many guests stay in her home, but none had ever befriended her or called her "friend."  I am so glad God put us together.

Matthew arrived shortly thereafter with my luggage.  I was so happy!  I spent the afternoon sorting through my things.  Someone else had packed my bags for me before I left the United States, so I had no idea what was what in the two luggage bags.

There is a church service on Sunday nights in another area of Dhaka.  Fighting, strikes and protests are currently taking place in an area en route to this particular church.  People are killed daily; 16 were killed in today's protests.  As a result, tonight's church service was cancelled.  Instead, the Corbins, the Millers, Sabrina and myself gathered together for an informal time of prayer in the Corbins' home.  I was asked to share my testimony.

Afterwards, the Corbins took me out to eat at a new restaurant called, "Club Wheels."  It was a cool, trendy place with dining tables inside of cars.  The Italian food was delicious too.  The Corbins shared with me their visions and goals for Bangladesh/ India and my role in helping them fulfill that vision.  I am excited about this opportunity to be part of the 2013 Bangladesh team.

A Busy, Fun-filled, First Day

I landed in Dhaka, Bangladesh at 8:30 AM Saturday.  I cleared customs and immigration but not without a near fight.  Two businessmen had just approached the customs desk and I was next in line.  The wait had been a long one and I needed to use the restroom.  I was not very happy when a couple broke the line (which is very typical, by the way) and approached the customs desk ahead of me.  I was fighting mad!  The two men behind me encouraged my fighting spirit by saying, "Ma'am, go ahead.  You're next."  I boldly approached the customs desk and situated myself between the businessmen and the couple, determined I was going to be the next person served.  Then I got to thinking, THIS side of the customs desk is NOT the place to stage a fight.  I needed to enter the country as peacefully as possible.  So, I eased my way back to the waiting line and waited my turn.  I cleared customs without any problem.

After a quick visit to the restroom, I stood at the baggage belt waiting for my luggage.  It never arrived.  The baggage staff people had me running in circles looking for it.  Most of them could not understand English and I could not understand Bangla.  (My Bangla phrasebook was inside one of the lost pieces of luggage).  Finally, someone told me to file a complaint at the baggage claims desk.  When I arrived at the desk and saw the number of people in line, I almost cried.  There was NO WAY I was standing in yet another line!  Matthew (my airport pickup person) was outside waiting and must surely be getting worried about me.  I sweet-talked the security  guard into allowing me to exit the area, find Matthew to inform him of my situation, and then re-enter the baggage area to file my complaint.

My room at hostel

The ride to the hostel was a relatively short one.  The traffic was not too bad, but still chaotic.  I loved the sound of the honking horns.  Oh how I had missed those sounds!  Matthew was a great escort, taking care of the small details.  Matthew is the oldest son of the Miller family, missionaries to Bangladesh; he has a twin brother, John.  We arrived at the hostel, where I met the Chinese owner, Sabrina.  She showed me my room and then we transacted  business.  Matthew mentioned the church service to her and invited her to come that night.  She was unsure because it would be her first time to visit.  I told her she was my first friend in Bangladesh and asked her if she would come as my guest.  She agreed.

The view from my room

In the meantime, Matthew's mom, Sandy Miller, called and invited me to their house for lunch of Indian food.  I accepted her invitation.  They lived one block away, so Matthew offered to take his motorbike home and then come back to walk me there.  I said, "Why?"  He looked surprised and asked, "You like to ride motorbikes?!?"  I told him I grew up on motorbikes.  So, I hopped on Indian-style (side saddle) and we took off.

At 5:30 PM, Sabrina and I went with the Miller family to the church service, which was being held at the Corbins' home.  Turns out, Sabrina had visited the church a long time ago. For me, it was so good to finally meet the Corbins in person after months of communication by phone and email.  The living room was packed with people from all nationalities.  I loved the intimate setting and the wonderful spirit of worship during the service.

The bride and the groom

Afterwards, there was a wedding.  The groom was from South Africa and the bride was from South Korea getting married in Bangladesh.  It was a sweet precious wedding.  I just know this young couple is destined to do great things for the kingdom of God.  On the humorous side, it was the first wedding I'd attended where the bride was barefoot and the groom wore socks.  All the ministers and guests were also barefoot or wore socks.  (Upon arrival, I had to quickly learn the Eastern custom of shedding my shoes at the front door).

My mosquito bed

Afterwards, I went back to the hostel and climbed into my mosquito bed for some much needed sleep.  It's been a very busy, fun-filled, first day in Bangladesh!  

The Journey Begins (Again)

The journey to Bangladesh began early as I awoke Thursday morning before the 3:00 AM alarm went off.  I awoke with tears and a spirit of brokenness as the presence of God interrupted my sleep.  I repented before God because I had been unkind the last few days under the pressure to accomplish the many tasks prior to the trip.  I am so thankful we serve a merciful, loving God who quickly forgives us when we ask.  "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  I John 1:9.

The flight from Birmingham to Dallas was a quiet one with no seatmates.  I appreciated this quiet time alone as the tears began to fall.  I felt sad leaving behind loved ones, yet I felt glad because my heart will soon be united with a land and people I love.  A love that God gave me.

The flight from Dallas to Dubai was a LONG one at 14 hours.  My window view was the airplane wing, the seats were tiny and I felt claustrophobic (imagine my complaining about something being too little, lol!)  My two seatmates, both female, were not very friendly, although they were certainly not rude.  I slept most of the flight, that is, when I was not eating.  The disorientation began to set in as I ate dinner for breakfast and breakfast for dinner while crossing time zones in the air.

As we started to land in Dubai, I looked out the window (it was mostly wing, but I could see a small portion of the earth) and was quite surprised to see flat land with desert sand everywhere.  Yes, I know the Middle East is mostly desert.  It's just that I live in an area surrounded by mountains, green grass and lush trees.  It was a new and different view to see dry, brown sand instead.

The Dubai International Airport has to be one of the most beautiful and wealthy airports in the world.  There were people from all nationalities in the airport, but it was interesting to see the Arabs in their traditional dress, especially the men.  I wanted to take pictures, but photographs were forbidden.  (I found this photo on the internet).

Upon arrival to Dubai, I got a free 30-day United Arab Emirates visa, hotel room at Copthorne Hotel, and two meals as part of my airline ticket.  The hotel was nice, clean and modern; the middle eastern and Indian food was great.  The staff (predominately Indian people) were helpful, but I felt a little out of place in this middle eastern culture.  I said a prayer for those who are called to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to this region of the world.

In Dubai, I was completely disoriented regarding the time.  My computer said it was 5:53 AM Friday. My phone said it was 6:53 AM Friday.  The time in Dubai was 3:53 PM Friday.  The time in Dhaka was 5:53 PM Friday.  In my mind, it was Thursday afternoon.  What time is it?!? LOL.  Seriously, I became so confused, I did not sleep well.  I was afraid I would set the alarm to the wrong time zone, oversleep and miss my flight.  After a short nap, I went to the airport early so I could have free unlimited internet service (internet was NOT part of the free hotel deal; it was costly).

The flight from Dubai to Dhaka was a short and pleasant one.  My lone seatmate was a male who did not speak English.  There were two women in front of me dressed in India/Bangladesh saris.  They both peeked through the crack in the seats and peered at me.  I smiled.  They quickly turned back around and started chattering, chiding each other for being seen by me.  However, one of the women peeked again at me.  This time I smiled and waved.  Again, she quickly turned around. Yet, she dared to look at me once more, this time with a slight smile and brief hand wave.  My heart was completely overwhelmed with God's love for these precious people.  The journey to Bangladesh is off to a good start!